She initially guessed that Qiu Chengshi's daughter would be the most suitable to be empress. The Qiu family was considered a second-class aristocratic family, not particularly outstanding, but not a small or insignificant family either. She was just right to be empress. If a daughter from a first-class aristocratic family were chosen as empress, the maternal relatives would be too powerful, which would not be conducive to the balance of power in the country.

Moreover, Qiu Chengshi's daughter is steady and dignified, and there is no problem in her becoming the empress.

"Ah Jun thought she was a young lady from the Huo family," she said coolly.

The Empress Dowager sighed, "The Huo family doesn't really want to interfere in court affairs. It's already a rare privilege for Huo Baichuan to be able to serve as an official. Now that he's dead, the Huo family is going to disappear from the court again. How could they possibly allow their daughter to enter the palace as Empress?"

That makes sense. The Huo family has its own set of management methods and rarely participates in court politics.

"Speaking of others, I'd like to ask you something. You're not young anymore, and you'll soon be of marriageable age. After that, you'll need to find a spouse. While there are still people to choose from, I'll pick one for you as soon as possible."

Zhao Shu stole a glance at her. Did her grandmother not know about her affair with Wei Tingsi? Impossible! That was a rhetorical question.

She stammered, then blurted out, "Ah Jun doesn't want to get married."

"You really don't want to get married?"

"Okay." Zhao Shu nodded.

"Fine, then I won't marry him."

Zhao Shu: ...So open-minded, are you sure you didn't transmigrate from the modern era? No, even modern parents pressure their children to get married.

She started to panic.

Granny Zhong had been serving them the whole time. After listening to their conversation, she began to worry about the young master who wanted to marry their princess. She feared it wouldn't go so smoothly.

"Whoever said he wanted to marry you, I'll break his legs," the Empress Dowager suddenly added.

Zhao Shu felt a chill run down her spine. She stood up and stormed out of the palace. Was there no justice in the world? The Empress Dowager actually forbade her to marry...

Back at the Prince Yong's residence, Zhou Hanyan immediately approached him, "Sister Ajun, your family's chef is so skilled! How much silver do you want? Can I buy it?"

Zhao Shu glanced at her and noticed that the girl seemed to have gained weight. "You... you've gained weight."

"Really? Really? What should I do? What should I do?" She began to pace anxiously around the yard.

Zhao Shu chuckled; trying to steal the cook from her? She's still a novice.